A Voice for Transit is a transit advocacy group composed of current Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) students and alumni that was founded in March 2019. We take an evidence-based approach to addressing delays, overcrowding and transit equity on Toronto’s transit systems, such as GO and TTC. Since our founding, we have contributed to the TTC’s stakeholder consultations in 2019, submitted comments to Metrolinx about the Ontario Line, and deputed on the City of Toronto’s 2020 municipal budget. Our membership is open with a priority placed on suburban and marginalized voices. We received initial funding from the Ryerson Leadership Lab in April 2019.
transit equity, n. Transit equity seeks to understand the ways in which the system is fair and accessible among the needs of different populations.
Foth, N., Manaugh, K., & El-Geneidy, A. M. (2013). Towards equitable transit: Examining transit accessibility and social need in toronto, canada, 1996–2006 Elsevier Ltd. doi:10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2012.12.008
Our three key areas of focus are:
NETWORK
What access do individuals have to transit? What is the purpose of future transit developments?
SERVICE
What is the quality of trips? What is the user experience for riders on transit?
COST
How much should fares cost? What are transit systems’ financial operating models? How can they change while still being public?
We need your help!
We are happy to welcome new members or to hear about a transit issue that we could be covering.
Drop us a line at voicefortransit@gmail.com
Sign up for our monthly newsletter here.
Log your next transit delay here.
Jean-François Obregon
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Jean-François Obregon is Lead Analyst at Sustainalytics, a socially-responsible investment data provider. He has over 10 years of experience in financial services, public policy, Cleantech, and media. His roles have included working with the Canadian government on sustainable housing strategies in Latin America and expanding an LED streetlighting program in Québec. Jean-François holds an Honors in Business Administration from the Ivey Business School at Western University. He completed an exchange term at the Rotterdam School of Management at Erasmus University.
Devan Moura
Co-Founder and Director of Finance
Devan is a Financial Analyst at CIBC by day, and city-building enthusiast by night. He holds a Bachelors of Commerce from Ryerson University, with a specialty in Economics. He is interested in the interactions between Economics and Politics, and building a better society. In pursuing this interest, he found a passion in public transit systems and their impact on productivity and quality of life.
Faizan Ahmed
Director of Data and Technology
When Faizan Ahmed isn’t reading niche fantasy novels or biographies of famous people he’s writing… code! He is passionate about exploring novel applications of Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence, and believes that all data has stories to tell — if we’re willing to listen to them. With over 5 years of business development experience, he uses his analysis and data storytelling skills as a Business Analyst for Nytilus, a tech-engineering and consulting firm. In the public sector, Faizan believes in fostering increased public interaction in politics through active listening to the people and backing their voices with strong data. Through these, it is more likely to instigate meaningful, long lasting change that individuals can be proud of for taking part in.
Sherwin Lau
Co-Founder and Director of Outreach and Fundraising
Sherwin Lau is a proud Hong Kong Canadian who is Bilingual in Cantonese and English. During the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns, he worked as a Program Assistant for the Canadian Centre for Housing Rights (CCHR) researching discriminatory housing and eviction prevention. With a strong interest in community collaboration and collective organizing, He’s organized several on-campus overdose prevention trainings in Toronto and is always open to new research challenges. Earlier in April 2020, he was co-authoring a literature review deciphering conflict graffiti in Hong Kong’s metro space. He holds a Master of Peace and Conflict Studies from University of Waterloo, and an undergraduate focus in Public Policy and Political Science from Ryerson University.
Community Advisors
- Howard Tam, ThinkFresh Group
Alumni
- Ozora Amin
- Alston Menezes, Co-Founder
- Austin Devaraj
- Jeremy Tobing
- Yonas Habesh
- Alex Pimentel
- Stephan Allan
- Karla Alag
voicefortransit.com 